The ball room of Hotel Leela Ambience, Gurgaon shook with thunderous applause when octogenarian S S Gandhi, one of the oldest stalwarts of the Indian liquor industry, reached the stage to receive Spiritz’s most coveted “Legend of the Industry” award from H E Méntor Villagómez, Ambassador of Ecuador in India.
Almost every eye was wet. Some wept with uncontrolled emotions and many rushed to the stage to touch Gandhi’s feet. Most of the elders present in the hall had either worked under Gandhi or had an opportunity to work under Gandhi’s juniors. The picture taken with all the awardees with Gandhi sitting on wheel chair and the Ambassador standing next to him will surely serve as a treasured memory for hundreds of the industry people who had a chance to witness this one in a lifetime event.
Gandhi was also visibly moved by the honour. In his thanksgiving speech, he reminisced about his early days in the industry, his days with Vitthal Mallya for whom he created liquor division in the UB Group and his fond memories. In touching words, he said, “You (Spiritz) have given me an opportunity to look at the past and behold the future present here in the hall.”
Despite his poor health, Gandhi travelled along with his graceful wife from his post-retirement home in Panchkula (Haryana) to receive the award. The occasion enables him meet some of his old friends and acquaintances whom he had not met in long years.
The awards night had many other memorable moments where a company, a brand or a leader was honoured with an award. A special award wall was created next to the stage for the winners to get their pictures clicked along with their colleagues to celebrate the winning.
The pictures of award winners and award citations adorn the following pages.
Once the sombre awards conferment ceremony was over, it was party time for the guests who moved from one stall to another, enjoying drinks and chatting with their friends. A really wide and extremely delicious spread of dinner was laid out in the pre-function area to make the night special.
The night was long with no dull moment.